Buchanan Vows Fight To End

Campaign 1996

Alexander, Lugar Bow Out

March 7, 1996|By Gerard Shields and Craig Crawford of The Sentinel Staff

Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan stormed into Orlando Wednesday night, ignoring the odds and pledging to keep his blustery campaign alive until this summer's Republican convention in San Diego.

The conservative columnist and former presidential speech writer told a crowd of about 750 frenzied supporters at the Expo Centre that he plans to make his America First message part of the Republican presidential platform.

''This campaign is not about a man,'' Buchanan shouted to the crowd. ''It's about a cause we've been fighting for our whole lives.''

Buchanan and publisher Steve Forbes remained undaunted by Sen. Bob Dole's growing momentum leading to next week's Super Tuesday contest, when Florida, Texas and five other states hold primaries in the Republican presidential race.

The Forbes campaign announced a major media blitz in Florida starting today that will take aim at the front-runner.

Two other candidates, meanwhile, looked at Dole's eight-state primary sweep on Tuesday and realized the race was all but over. Former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander and Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana both ended their campaigns on Wednesday - each acknowledging Dole's seeming invincibility and each endorsing the Senate majority leader.

The results Tuesday also prompted House Speaker Newt Gingrich to pronounce that ''Dole is nominated.''

But Buchanan said he was in the race to stay, even if Dole's nomination now ''appears inevitable.'' And Forbes vowed to press on as well, picking up the endorsement of former Housing Secretary Jack Kemp before moving his campaign into Florida and Texas. Forbes is planning a swing through Florida on Saturday.

While acknowledging Dole's strength earlier in the day, Buchanan didn't show signs of slowing down at the Orlando rally. Swinging his jacket off, Buchanan whipped up the crowd by bashing the United Nations, illegal immigration, the NAFTA and GATT trade agreements, China and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Speaking in the heartland of Florida's Christian Coalition, Buchanan saved his most potent message - the one he hopes can breathe new life into his campaign - for last.

''Win, lose or draw, we're going to San Diego and we will keep Ronald Reagan's pro-life plank,'' Buchanan said to a roar of approval.

Buchanan's appearance in Orlando came one day before Dole's campaign army planned its march through the state.

Dole, who will appear in Orlando at 3:30 p.m. today for a public rally at Lake Eola Park, is being careful not to take the state for granted while glancing ahead at the calendar to his likely race with President Clinton in November.

Is Dole shifting gears from Republican infighting to securing Florida in the campaign against Clinton?

''Why not?'' said Jeanie Austin, one of his national co-chairmen. But the veteran Orlando party leader quickly noted that the Dole campaign isn't overlooking the primary race.

''It's Politics 101,'' Austin said. ''Take it for granted and you lose.''

Buchanan hopes for a sneak attack on Dole's forces. He needs a miracle to stop the the senator's momentum that built quickly after Saturday's big win in South Carolina.

Buchanan supporters in Orlando vowed to stand by their man until the end. ''I don't even see the fat lady yet,'' said Michael Keith, a 42-year-old DeLand resident.

Meanwhile, the Forbes campaign was hoping to gain momentum from Kemp's endorsement as it moved into Florida. Campaign strategists said Forbes will begin blanketing the state with TV and radio ads today in seven major markets, including Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville and Miami.

''It really is now a Dole-Forbes race,'' said Joel Rosenberg, senior communications adviser for the Forbes campaign.

Rosenberg said the ads will stress differences between the two candidates - the primary one being that Forbes brings a message of ''hope, growth and opportunity'' to voters while Dole brings no message.

But Forbes' last minute ad-saturation strategy has failed in recent primaries - including South Carolina, Georgia and Colorado. It will be put to the test more than ever today in New York, where the millionaire publisher has pumped $3 million into advertising for that state's big delegate pool.

Kemp is expected to accompany Forbes in Florida, Texas, California and other states in his long-shot bid.

Dole also picked up some key support on Wednesday, getting the endorsement of one George Bush and some kind words from another.

Texas Gov. George W. Bush, son of the former president, put his support behind the Senate majority leader at a news conference on the lawn of the state Capitol.

From Austin, Dole flew to Houston for an audience with the former president - who defeated him in the 1988 GOP primary. Bush said he wasn't endorsing his onetime rival, but he said it with a wink.

''I'm going to speak enthusiastically for him,'' Bush said.

The former president even made a point of letting Dole sit in a chair he brought with him when he left the White House.